How To Download Ipa Apps On Iphone

How to install .ipa file directly to iPhones/tabs without using laptop/Desktop?

There are many instances when tough times comes out to be a great teacher that provides you with many unexplored opportunities, this article is about one such times when I have to deal with testing an iOS app with only iOS device in hand and limited stable internet connection.

In an ideal scenario one can easily install .ipa file to iDevices from a mac/computer with the following two ways:

iTunes: This method doesn't require any other software apart it to install iOS app(.ipa) to mobile device, just follow below steps and your good to use the app from your device:

iTunes > App Library > drag and drop .ipa file > Install > Sync

Note: On a window s system you need to download iTunes first to install an .ipa further on mobile device.

Xcode : Using xcode is the simplest way to install .ipa file is what I feel, if you have xcode installed on your Mac by just following below easy steps the app will be ready to explore:

Xcode > cmd+shift+2 > devices > drag and drop .ipa file

Now let's understand the situation when you don't have mac/laptop/Desktop but have only a mobile device and .ipa file to test.

Below are the ways I tried to install an iOS app into iphone (SE — iOS 13.3) which I find somehow achievable to get the work rolling :

OTA Deployment

OTA(Over the Air) Deployment enables you to install your built apps(.ipa/apk) via HTTPS.

The steps to install apps via this method are as follows:

Download the .ipa file to your device or icloud.
Upload the .ipa to any such site which create a shareable installation link using the uploaded .ipa file
For the above step there are several sites (i.e., DeployNinja, AppHost, diawi, installonair, etc.) paid/free from where you can get the installation link by uploading the .ipa file. I found the below one to be free, easy and reliable: https://www.installonair.com

Open the above link and upload the downloaded .ipa file
Once the files get uploaded click on submit button and wait for the shareable link to get generated
Share the link via mail or other mediums to open it on the targeted mobile device

Lastly install the app on the mobile device by opening the shared link through installonair and you are are ready to test once the app gets installed on your device.

Third Party Apps

These can be downloaded from various external play-stores, I tried appcake for this purpose by following below steps:

Open https://www.iphonecake.com
Click on 3 horizontal lines on top right of site home screen for more options and select App Cake iOS app.

Click on install package and install the required certificates for the same

After installation of the the appCake it asks for the certificate verification which can be from phone settings as: Settings > General > Profiles and device management > verify CRCC** profile.

Reopen Appcake and verify its profile from settings and check if it's installed successfully

Open the downloaded .ipa file on phone and click on share option to select the copy to appcake option.

Once the app gets on to the Appcake download section it will ask for the app to install on the phone directly.
Click on install so that the app installation starts which can be monitored on device app library.

Note: The app may behave differently if it requires any certificate profile to get verified from its end as appcake install it by verifying it through appcake's own profile which can result into conflicts.

Thats all folks! Comment down your thoughts, queries and suggestions on this article. Thanks!

Happy Learning 🙂

Stay safe and well prepared!